Rudolph Doughnuts

     A busy day calls for a nutritious breakfast but during the holidays, sometimes fun beats out good sense. We all enjoyed our Rudolph mini-doughnuts but perhaps the dog was happiest - while breaking the pretzels to get antler shapes, pieces kept flying off the table!

Asiago Bread

     Asiago cheese is favorite in our house, whether it is featured in bagels, bread, vegetables or main dishes. This loaf was especially tantalizing, once while it was baking and then again when it reached the dinner table. Described in the recipe as an artisan bread, it nonetheless had a fine light texture with a slightly chewy crust; the Asiago flavor was subtle but heavenly. For one day we had to overlook low-carb observance...

Old Rolling Pin

     This red-handled rolling pin was used by my mother for decades. She was not the ardent baker that I am so it was used infrequently, which is perhaps why it is still in such good condition. Pies came out of the grocery freezer but the rolling-pin was indispensable for Christmas cut-out cookies. When the contents of Mom's kitchen were sold at an estate sale, this was one item that I kept aside and it was mostly for nostalgic reasons, even thinking that perhaps I could display it in some decorative manner. However I used it recently and much prefer it over my own plastic version, so in its second life, the pin will be usefully employed rather than relegated to a charming kitchen ornament. (Thanksgiving's pumpkin pie was a testament to its occupation.)